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Talented Timorese trainees in demand for major projects

November 1, 2018

Contract Resources’ new Timorese recruits Arianto de Jesus and Jose Guterres Pinto are already in high demand for work on major projects across Australia and offshore, just six months after commencing training with the company.

Contract Resources is a contractor to the Bayu-Undan Joint Venture Project and was invited by ConocoPhillips, the joint venture operator, to participate in their Consolidated Local Content Plan in early 2016.

As part of that plan, contractors are asked to demonstrate how they intend to create employment opportunities for Timor-Leste nationals. ConocoPhillips also encourages further development of industry experience within the Timor-Leste labour market through traineeships, intern positions and other career pathways.

Contract Resources, in support of this focus, recently engaged Arianto and Jose as Industrial Service Technician trainees for an 18-month training program in Perth, with a further two Timor-Leste Nationals to be offered the opportunity following their completion of the course.

Below, Contract Resources WA Project Manager Graeme Clegg recounts the company’s journey in creating Timorese trainee opportunities and the positive impact this has had for their Company:

“In early 2016 Contract Resources was invited to participate in ConocoPhillips’s Timor-Leste Local Content program and at that time we had no idea how to approach this or how rewarding it would eventually become.

In May of 2016, I flew to Dili to interview a number of applicants. I interviewed many fine applicants, but two candidates stood out. They clearly demonstrated their integrity, honesty and great character. It was a no-brainer, Arianto and Jose were the people we wanted to be part of our organisation.

In early March this year, having worked through the Visa process, they started work with Contract Resources at our Jandakot yard. From that day on they have not looked back and have fitted in seamlessly to the team. Their attitude, enthusiasm and desire to learn has won them many friends, and those friendships go beyond work, with Ari and Jose participating in social events most weekends. Be it watching their beloved Crusaders rugby team, exploring Fremantle, visiting the ANZAC memorial in Kings Park, going out on fishing trips or simply going out for meals, the friendships they have formed are genuine and meaningful.

Putting training into practice

The plan was to train Ari and Jose to become Industrial Services Technicians and to give them work experience in the oil and gas industry with the hope that they could secure work in the industry on their return to Timor. They have completed 16 training courses each over the past 6 months, including Common Safety Training Program, TBOSIET, Confined Space Entry, Confined Space Rescue, Breathing Apparatus, Dogging, Rigging, Permit to Work and Fork Lift Ticket.

With this training under their belt they went out to the Bayu-Undan shutdown in May and received very favourable feedback from their supervisors. They had never worked a 12-hour shift or a night shift, and the work, whilst fully supervised, was new and challenging and the facility completely foreign to them, but they really embraced the challenge.

Something that made a very real impact on Ari and Jose was meeting their fellow Timorese on the facility, people from similar backgrounds who had worked on the facility for several years and were successful and well respected.

Back in Perth, their training recommenced but they were also being requested by project managers to work on other projects. The positive feedback received from training providers, workshop staff and Bayu-Undan shutdown supervisors meant that they were now being sought for work in the field. Ari and Jose began to shine, and Jose was singled out for a safety recommendation.

New opportunities arise

In just six months, Ari and Jose have gone from unskilled trainees to highly regarded industrial services technicians with two shutdowns under their belts and a further two projects each planned for later in the year. It has become evident how capable they both are.

We are now identifying Supervisor and Leadership training as well as HSE training courses to broaden their skill set. These new skills will provide them greater employment possibilities when they return to Timor, as they are transferable to other industries like Manufacturing and Construction.

All of us here at Contract Resources will look back at this year with a great deal of pride when we consider the growth and development of Ari and Jose, both personally and professionally.

None of this would have been possible without support and encouragement from ConocoPhillips. They have been very willing partners in this program and clearly also want the best for Ari and Jose.

The past six months has been a truly rewarding experience for all those involved, and we look forward to where the next 12 months of Ari and Jose’s engagement takes us all.” Graeme Clegg